Teachers' perception towards implementation of performance contracts: a case of public Secondary schools in Gatanga District Murang' a County, Kenya

Abstract:

Performance contract is an agreement between two patties that clearly specify their
performance obligations. It is a management instrument used to define responsibilities
and expectations between parties to achieve mutually agreed results. It is a relatively
new concept in Kenya especially in the public sector. In 2003, the government of Kenya
introduced performance contracts with an aim of enhancing performance of the civil
servants through improved accountability and productivity. Though education sector is
key, implementation of performance contracts has been inhibited by various hitches and
challenges especially among teachers. It is for this reason that this study carried out an
analysis of teachers' perception towards implementation of performance contracts in
selected secondary schools in Gatanga District. The study was guided by the following
objectives; to establish the level of teachers' awareness of performance contracts, to
investigate the extent to which teachers' attitudes influence their perception towards
implementation of performance contracts, to investigate the extent to which the training
and skills of the teachers is a factor to their perception towards implementation of
performance contracts, to find out whether working conditions in secondary schools is a
factors influencing teachers' perception towards implementation of performance
contracts, to find out whether external environment is a factor influencing teachers'
perception towards implementation of performance contracts. The study was based on
Cole job improvement plan model, which emphasizes setting standards in specific key
result areas and specifying results for all employees at the operating level of the
institution. Review of literature was done on various studies done on performance
contracts under the sub sections; definition of performance contract, the purpose ittld
process of performance contracting, and how teachers' attitudes, training, working
conditions and external environment influences performance contracting. The study
employed a descriptive survey design, targeting 410 teachers in 31 public secondary
schools in Gatanga District. A sample size of 123 teachers and 16 principals was used.
Teachers were selected using proportionate, stratified and random sampling techniques
while principals were selected using purposive sampling. The study utilized
questionnaire and interview schedule for data collection. After the data were collected,
they were coded, analyzed and descriptive statistics like frequencies and percentages
were used. The findings showed that the teachers had very little knowledge on
performance contracting and therefore, they were opposed to it. The study also showed
that, negative perception towards performance contracting by teachers is caused by
factors like training, working conditions, teachers' attitude and external environment.
The researcher recommends that the Ministry of Education educates teachers on
performance contracting before implementing it to change teachers' negative
perceptions and inform them of its benefits. The ministry should also consider setting
targets that are informed by each school's unique setup.